Projects: Students research and studied about molecules; they created 2 models of two different molecules. The complex molecule was drawn and labeled; the simple molecule was a 3D model. I received outstanding work on this project! They will present to the class on Monday.
6th Reading: We are reading Blood on the River in learning about the 13 colonies. We are reading other articles about various aspects of the 13 colonies, including: founders, life in early America, Native Americans, slaves, economies, interesting facts and more. This will lead us into the American Revolution, which will be our next subject of study.
6th Writing: Students write every day. They free write on journal topics, proofread and edit, and compose a paragraph each week. Currently, they are improving their ability to add detail by elaborating and by using dialogue. We have begun practicing cursive in earnest. We are using language arts ixl, in class, to improve spelling and grammar skills.
8th Writing: Students write every day. They free write on journal topics, proofread and edit. They just finished a final revision on their 13 colonies paragraph, as well as putting finishing touches on their personal narratives. We are reading the narratives aloud, in class, which has been a little intimidating for most. However, they are a talented, hard working group, so they have had nothing to fear (but fear itself!). We are also learning and practicing important grammar skills by using the ixl program, in class.
Specials: 6th grade is exhibiting tremendous talent in Art each week.
NOTE: 6th graders now have classroom jobs and are earning class cash for doing their jobs. They will have to pay fines for minor infractions, work together, and spend wisely. They will be allowed to set up their own stores during"Stores" and sell items to each other. (no food or drink; they can sell used items or make new ones) In addition, we are trying to establish some monthly activities, such as Maverick Monday, when they get to walk to Maverick and buy a treat, as well as taco Tuesday when they get to walk to Taco Bell for lunch. More will be forthcoming on these activities.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Week of September 14
Projects: Student worked with a partner to complete a scrapbook of information about one of the elements on the periodic table. Ask your child what element (s)he researched and reported on. I had great projects turned in and they seemed to enjoy the creativity and learning. This project helps them learn about and use information from the periodic table.
6th Writing: Students created a group story and presented them to the class. They were also working on writing a final chapter to the read-aloud Never Mind.
6th Reading: We began a new read-aloud titled Blood on the River. This is a book about John Smith, Pocahontas, and other early colonists who participated in the settling of Jamestown. We have done other reading and note taking in order to prepare for the next quarter of study: the 13 colonies.
8th Writing: Students have been challenged to use their informal outlines about the 13 colonies to write an informative essay about new England, Middle and Southern colony groups. They finished their rough draft this week.
6th Writing: Students created a group story and presented them to the class. They were also working on writing a final chapter to the read-aloud Never Mind.
6th Reading: We began a new read-aloud titled Blood on the River. This is a book about John Smith, Pocahontas, and other early colonists who participated in the settling of Jamestown. We have done other reading and note taking in order to prepare for the next quarter of study: the 13 colonies.
8th Writing: Students have been challenged to use their informal outlines about the 13 colonies to write an informative essay about new England, Middle and Southern colony groups. They finished their rough draft this week.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
I found it! August 31st and September 7th
The past two weeks have been fast and furious!
Projects: The report to the mayor about the sports complex and materials to use was due on August 31st, but a couple of extra days were provided if students needed them. We have begun a study of the basic elements of life and the periodic table. Students have a project due at the end of the day on Thursday to create a booklet (baby announcement or MVP award) on an element from the periodic table. They will work with a partner on this one.
6th Reading: We just finished our first read-aloud Never Mind, which they seemed to love. The class is enjoying the Garden of Readin" and beg for more "read to self" time. Several are trying to read a book a week for the quarter. There will be a prize for all who can do it. We are also doing some reading and study about the 13 colonies to prepare for our Social Studies quarter. This includes taking notes, making a timeline and informational posters about the colonies.
6th Writing: Students work to write and turn in a piece of writing every week. I am impressed with their skill and creativity! They are currently working as a team to compose a short story and also working alone to write another chapter to add to the book Never Mind.
8th Writing: These students are writing profusely! They have two in-progress pieces that they are working on. The first one due will be a short report on the thirteen colonies, using their informal outlines from Reading class. They are also developing a narrative paragraph about a personal experience. Their first piece, about a sport, was a collaborative effort, with an individual final draft, as well.
Book orders will go out every month, but there is no obligation to purchase. If you do decide to buy, all ordering and payment will be online.
8th Writing: These students are writing consistently. They have learned some important techniques about writing topic sentences. In addition, they submitted paragraphs about sorts that was part collaborative and part individual work. Currently, they are writing a piece about the thirteen colonies, as well as beginning work on a personal narrative about one of these choices: a first time experience, a scary or dangerous situation, a surprising or unexpected event.
Projects: The report to the mayor about the sports complex and materials to use was due on August 31st, but a couple of extra days were provided if students needed them. We have begun a study of the basic elements of life and the periodic table. Students have a project due at the end of the day on Thursday to create a booklet (baby announcement or MVP award) on an element from the periodic table. They will work with a partner on this one.
6th Reading: We just finished our first read-aloud Never Mind, which they seemed to love. The class is enjoying the Garden of Readin" and beg for more "read to self" time. Several are trying to read a book a week for the quarter. There will be a prize for all who can do it. We are also doing some reading and study about the 13 colonies to prepare for our Social Studies quarter. This includes taking notes, making a timeline and informational posters about the colonies.
6th Writing: Students work to write and turn in a piece of writing every week. I am impressed with their skill and creativity! They are currently working as a team to compose a short story and also working alone to write another chapter to add to the book Never Mind.
8th Writing: These students are writing profusely! They have two in-progress pieces that they are working on. The first one due will be a short report on the thirteen colonies, using their informal outlines from Reading class. They are also developing a narrative paragraph about a personal experience. Their first piece, about a sport, was a collaborative effort, with an individual final draft, as well.
Book orders will go out every month, but there is no obligation to purchase. If you do decide to buy, all ordering and payment will be online.
8th Writing: These students are writing consistently. They have learned some important techniques about writing topic sentences. In addition, they submitted paragraphs about sorts that was part collaborative and part individual work. Currently, they are writing a piece about the thirteen colonies, as well as beginning work on a personal narrative about one of these choices: a first time experience, a scary or dangerous situation, a surprising or unexpected event.
Please Be Patient with me!
I got up extra early this morning to post, since I am a week behind. Somehow, AFTER the blog was finished, I deleted it instead of posting it! I will re-post today. arrgh!
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
week of August 24
This week flew by!
Projects: students have been busy researching synthetic and organic products online. They were to complete evidence cards and their rough draft of writing. 6th graders have do write at least 2 pages and 8th grade have to write at least 3 pages. I gave them some guide sheets to use/complete that will guide their papers. For example, the first paragraph should introduce the project. the second one should define and/or explain the key terms: synthetic (how materials are made), organic, cost effective and environmentally friendly. Other paragraphs should address pros and cons of each material, and the final paragraph should be the recommendations to the mayor. Projects are due Monday, August 31st.
6th Reading: We will begin incorporating social studies with reading. We are studying colonization, the 13 original colonies and events leading up to the Revolutionary War.
6th Writing: They have submitted their first paragraph, which was an article for a pretend school newspaper.
8th Writing: Writers used the writing process to plan and submit a paragraph about a "sports" topic.
We are introducing ourselves and getting our communties established through various Tribes activities.
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